On the recordJanuary 4, 2005
I stand in support of H.R. 12 expressing the condolences of this House and the support for the people of the countries that have been impacted by the tsunami in Asia. A friend of our country, Sri Lanka, was one of the countries most devastated. Sadly, Sri Lanka lost at least 30,000 of its citizens, and that toll may rise well into the 40,000 range. I serve as co-chairman of the Sri Lanka Caucus in the House and I have traveled personally to Sri Lanka. I have seen firsthand many of the areas now devastated by the tsunami, and my heart and prayers and those of my colleagues go out to the people of Sri Lanka at this difficult time. Today many Americans are still unaccounted for who were in Sri Lanka when this tragedy struck, but as we deal with that loss and also work to help the nearly 1 million living survivors who are now displaced in Sri Lanka, we continue to move forward and we want to express our support.
Source
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